Japanese Invasion of China 1937-1945

The attack by Japanese troops on Chinese troops at the Marco Polo Bridge in 1937, marking the beginning of full-scale war between Japan and China.

The retreat of Chiang Kai-shek and the Kuomintang (KMT) to Sichuan in 1938, after the Japanese invasion had occupied major cities and ports.

The division of China into three distinct factions during the Sino-Japanese War (1937-1945): Chiang Kai-shek's KMT, Mao Zedong's CCP, and Wang Jingwei's collaborationist government.

The head of Chiang Kai-shek's secret police, known as the 'Himmler of China', responsible for maintaining control and infiltrating the CCP.

The leader of Mao Zedong's secret police, responsible for maintaining control and conducting purges within the CCP.

The collaborationist government formed by Wang Jingwei with the Japanese in 1940, operating outside of Chiang Kai-shek's control.

Wang Jingwei's ideology that promoted pan-Asianism, opposition to communism, and anti-Chiang Kai-shek sentiments.

Despite occupying major cities and ports, the Japanese lacked resources and manpower to control the entirety of China's countryside.

A pivotal event in Chinese-Japanese relations marked by Japan's invasion of Shanghai in 1937, leading to heavy casualties and the Japanese capture of Nanjing. This event saw widespread atrocities, including mass executions and rapes, leaving a lasting impact on Sino-Japanese relations.

During the Nanjing Massacre, German Nazi John Rabe, along with Minnie Vautrin, established a 'safety zone' within Nanjing, offering refuge to thousands of Chinese civilians, providing some protection against the Japanese forces.

A major Japanese military operation launched in 1944 with the aim of securing control of key railroads, linking their forces in China and French Indochina, and neutralizing Allied air bases in southern China.

Following the end of World War II, the CCP established base areas in Manchuria, an industrial hub controlled by Japan. This allowed them to access crucial resources and industrial equipment, providing a boost to their power.

A puppet state established by Japan in Manchuria, designed to serve Japanese interests and control the region.

Following the Yalta agreement, the USSR joined the Pacific War after the war in Europe ended, occupying Manchuria and contributing to the collapse of the Japanese-backed Manchukuo state.

The combined factors of Japan's withdrawal, the USSR's intervention, and the CCP's strategic positioning in Manchuria, led to the CCP's rise to power and its eventual victory over the KMT, establishing the People's Republic of China.

A period in China's history from 1958 to 1962, focused on rapid industrialization and collectivization of agriculture. The campaign aimed to transform China into a socialist society, with an emphasis on communal living and production. It ultimately failed, leading to devastating famine and widespread economic hardship.

A set of economic reforms introduced by Deng Xiaoping after Mao Zedong's death in 1976. The four areas of focus were agriculture, industry, national defense, and science and technology. These reforms aimed to modernize China and improve living standards.

Deng Xiaoping's reforms in the 1970s and 1980s fundamentally changed Chinese agriculture. Collectivized farms were dissolved, allowing farmers to rent land, sell crops, and participate in market-based activities. This led to a significant increase in food production and the emergence of town and village enterprises (TEVs).

A group of radical leftist politicians who gained significant power in China after Mao Zedong's death in 1976. They opposed the moderates, led by Deng Xiaoping and Zhou Enlai, and were ultimately purged from power in 1977.

A period of upheaval and social disorder in China from 1966 to 1976, initiated by Mao Zedong. This campaign focused on purging remnants of capitalist and traditional ideas from society and emphasized class struggle. The Cultural Revolution resulted in significant destruction of cultural heritage, widespread political persecution, and economic decline.

A program launched by Mao Zedong in 1958, aiming to rapidly industrialize China through collectivization and mass mobilization. It ultimately resulted in widespread famine and economic devastation.

In 1959, Mao Zedong stepped down as President of China after the GLF's failures. He maintained his position as Chairman of the CCP but relinquished executive authority.

Liu Shaoqi became President of China after Mao Zedong's resignation. He focused on rebuilding the economy and restoring order after the GLF's damage.

Zhou En-lai served as Prime Minister of China during the Cultural Revolution. He played a crucial role in navigating the complex political landscape of the time.

Deng Xiaoping, the CCP General Secretary, collaborated with Liu Shaoqi and Zhou En-lai in addressing the GLF's aftermath. He emphasized pragmatic economic reforms.

A sociopolitical movement launched by Mao Zedong in 1966, aimed at purging 'bourgeois' elements and reviving revolutionary fervor. It led to widespread violence, social disruption, and intellectual suppression.

Large-character posters, a key form of communication during the Cultural Revolution. They were used to express political opinions and denunciations.

Mao Zedong initiated the Cultural Revolution to consolidate his power, cleanse the CCP of perceived bureaucratic corruption, and reassert his revolutionary ideals.

Deng tolerated the democracy movement but only until the movement directly challenged him. He believed Western-style democracy was not suitable for China and suppressed student demonstrations, emphasizing economic growth over political participation.

Deng's policies faced opposition due to a combination of factors: disappointment with a lack of democracy, frustration with economic reforms, dissatisfaction with the CCP's performance, and limited job opportunities leading to widespread corruption.

Hu Yaobang, a leader sympathetic to the democracy movement, was removed from his post for supporting student protests. Although he also supported Deng's reforms, his stance on the students led to opposition from party elders.

Hu Yaobang's death sparked a wave of student protests. The students, who built him a memorial, attempted to deliver a petition to the Premier, but were denied, leading to sit-ins and boycotts across universities.

The student movement gained momentum with the support of transport workers who provided free travel for students and participation from universities nationwide. However, the protests were met with government attempts to quell them.

A group of 300 students went on a hunger strike in the second week of May, seeking to draw global attention to their cause. They believed the presence of Gorbachev, who was visiting Beijing, would prevent the CCP from suppressing them.

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Gorbachev's visit to Beijing was considered crucial by the students, as they believed his presence would prevent the CCP from taking harsh measures against them. Gorbachev was popular due to his reforms in the USSR, and the students hoped his influence would deter the CCP.

Zhao Ziyang, the General Secretary of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), tried to resolve the Tiananmen Square protests peacefully by promising concessions to the students. However, his efforts failed, and he was later dismissed and placed under house arrest.

Deng Xiaoping, the paramount leader of China, was determined to suppress the Tiananmen Square protests, seeing them as a threat to CCP authority. He ordered the military crackdown, resulting in the Tiananmen Square Massacre.

The Tiananmen Square Massacre was a violent crackdown by the Chinese military on pro-democracy protesters in Beijing in June 1989. Hundreds, possibly thousands, of protesters were killed, and many others were injured.

The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) claims to be the representative of the people's interests and uses its role to guide and govern the state. This is known as the 'guardianship' principle.

The CCP maintains a strict hierarchical structure, with decision-making power concentrated at the top. This hierarchy ensures that power is centralized and discipline is maintained.

The 'Mass Line' is a key principle of the CCP, emphasizing close ties between the party and the people. It involves gathering input from the masses and using it to inform policy decisions.

The CCP operates a dual structure, with both the party and government branches working together. This system allows the party to maintain control over the government.

The CCP faces a difficult task of institutionalizing its power, meaning creating formal structures and processes that are stable and less reliant on individual personalities.